There is an excellent article in the current issue of Fly Fisherman which lays out selection criteria and rates the best values in several price bands. Additional vise reviews not in the magazine can be found at www.flyshop.com.

Basic questions are: what do you tie (trout, warmwater, salmon/steelhead, saltwater), do you want/need full rotary, how much do you want to spend?

Stu

mayflyman

12-15-2001 11:43 AM

vice

I like Regal vices for my HOME fly tying needs...
I also suggest buying a less expensive "FIELD" vice to take along with you in a modest fly tying kit.
I wished I had a fly tying kit with me when a white-fly hatch was on and all I had was black-flies. :eyecrazy:
So now I cary a vice with me when I take to the waterways for times like these. :)
I use clamp based vices

jborkowski

12-15-2001 11:45 AM

Would be saltwater.

Price? Depends on what it takes to get what I want/need. I don't need a mantle piece, just something that gets the job done, is well built, and will last.

I suppose a follow-up question would be, what local flyshop (Boston area) would have the best selection for me to go and peruse?

Off to pick up a copy of Fly Fisherman...

pmflyfisher

12-15-2001 01:46 PM

I really like the Renzetti Traveler price + $ 150 or so, maybe a little less.

Stu Farnham

12-15-2001 02:10 PM

I've tied extensively on the Regal, the DynaKing Barracuda Jr., and the Renzetti Traveller. Each has their strengths and weaknesses. Also, each tier has their own combination of style, preferences, needs, and budget. So, what works for me may not work for you.

The Regal has it hands down in a vouple of dimensions: ease of adjustment -- there is none -- and hook holding power. However, inserting hooks, especially small ones, is dicey. If you don't get the hook far enough into the jaws, it will shoot out at high speed, and the jaws may chip. Nonetheless, the Regal is a real workhorse and is preferred by many commercial tiers. If you tie a wide variety of sizes you may need both the midge and standard heads, and the midge head is spendy -- approaching $100.

I did not like the Traveller, but I had mine prior to the introduction of the cam jaws. I found it to be fussy to adjust for different hook sizes (and I tie everything from #32 trout flies to 2/0 steelhead flies. I beleive there are better choices in the price range.

The Barracuda Jr. is a nice vise, full rotary, well made, great hook holding power. However, at $300+, it is on the expensive side.

My current vise of choice is the LAW vise made by Lawrence Waldron in the UK. The LAW can only be described as a luxury.

Stu

sean

12-15-2001 02:19 PM

My vote would be for the Renzetti Traveler vise. I have the cam jaws and have not had a problem with mine so far. Have tied everything from 1/0 to 20s and the hook holding power is great. can bend the hook before getting any slippage. Also the rotary action is nice. Makes tying go a lot quicker.

Also at 150 I think it is quite the bargain. It also compacts very nicely to bring on the road with you.

-sean

pmflyfisher

12-15-2001 03:30 PM

Yes I have the Renzetti Traveller with the cam jaws also. Have ties from 2/0 down to size 18 with no problem. Forget anything smaller I cannot see that small any more. Check it out

Kaufmans has the traveller for 159 my local fly shop had it for 150
yesterday.

See above link

Eddie

12-15-2001 06:44 PM

I have to give the nod to the Regal. It is almost perfect(not so good with #20's and smaller. If price is not so much of a problem, the Abel vice and the Renzeti Master are very nice. Nothing comes close to these two.

Stu Farnham

12-15-2001 06:48 PM

If you can afford the Renzetti Master or the Abel, do yourself a favor -- go with the LAW vise.

fisshman26

12-15-2001 07:36 PM

My vote would be for any renzetti product. Great service and a superior product.

jborkowski

12-15-2001 10:37 PM

Do any local shops carry this LAW vice?

juro

12-15-2001 11:10 PM

Jeff -

As far as Renzetti goes for SW go with the SW Traveler. The Trav proper does not have the jaws for the hvy stainless wire hooks stripers and blues prefer ;)

I have both, I like the normal one for trout/salmon/steelhead but I don't put my 4/0 SWFF hooks in it. If you put a TMC 800s in it you are pushing the limit. I might exchange for the cam jaws, they seem much easier than the thumb screw I use now.

Rotary makes a big difference, make sure you come to the tying clave so you can see all of these in action and make a decision - unless it's an xmas thing.

Stu Farnham

12-16-2001 08:48 AM

LAW vise source

The LAW vise is manufactured by Lawrence A Waldron in the UK, and is not sold in shops in the US. You can inquire/order through Hans Weilenmann at flytier@worldonline.nl